 Poster: A snowHead
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Hey there,
I recently sold off my not ideally fitting jackets to go for a nice Keela munro.... having got rid of my jackets, I was told not to buy anything else I might spoil my christmas present..... so Im guessing that means the munro will not be my next jacket!
But having read such good things on here, I would like to try something keela.... so I was looking at a soft shell or waterproof fleece. Both the Zenith shell and genesis can be had for about £50 if you shop around. Has anyone used either of these?
I have never owned a soft shell.... is the zenith going to be as warm/soft/comfortable as a fleece? Is a waterproof fleece an alternative- id almost be concerned that the fleece could be too warm! Can you wear either of these garments under an outer jacket or does this ruin the breathability of your clothing system?
Thanks
Adam
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You know, for the sake of 3 days I wouldn't try second guessing anything 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Softshells....they are really confusing...so many different materials promising so much. I have a Patagonia softshell which I bought many years ago and use a lot but this one is supposed to replace the two layers of base/mid layer, so I always wear it under my hardshell when skiing.
These days softshells are targeted as a replacement of the midlayer and the hardshell. I hear that they are not particularly warm so better suited for spring skiing. I think they are really great for high exertion sports where you keep moving all the time (like climbing), not so sure that they will keep you warm on a long chairlift.
wrt waterproofness they are probably adequate for 95% of the time. only in very heavy snow/rain then you should either switch to a full-on hardshell or use a thin waterproof shell (like a poncho) over the softshell.
Interested to hear other opinions.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I wore my new Munro on the Brecon Beacons way walk and it was excellent, well vented, totally waterproof (in 60mph lashing rain) and the best hood I've ever worn. Lets hope Santa's antennae have been well tuned.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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buns,
atually you can look at most softshells as an almost waterproof fleece (unless it's a real downpour). my patagonia softshell has a fleecy lining and a shellfabric exterior. I forgot to mention that I also have a gore-tex windstopper jacket which I also wear under my hardshell but only when it's really cold. As multi-functional clothing softshells are really good except for the worst kind of weather.
I also remembered that Mountain Hardwear do a waterproof softshell but then it's probably not as breathable. there is always a trade-off between these two.
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Wohooo.... my endless ranting about new jackets has resulted in a Keela present! In future I will better appreciate my hint giving abilities!
I asked a similar question on epic ski.... Im getting the impression that a waterproof fleece is probably going to be less waterproof and lose its waterproof abilities faster than a softshell as well as being less breathible. On the other side, a softshell is likely to be not as warm.... does that sound right?
Adam
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Since I couldnt really find anyone anywhere who has used the Keela shells or waterproof fleeces, I went with a mountain hardwear alchemy soft shell thanks to help on epic ski..... cant wait to get it now!
Adam
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snowman,
I have the MH Synchro which is great in light rain... I wouldn't want to be on the mountain in really wet weather without a hardshell and I have this jacket down as a mid layer in a 4 layer set up, or a spring snow jacket... I trialled it at the PSB and its not a real warmth layer so I will wear it with Merino base, microfleece, Soft sheel and hard shell in the pack, just in case..
But I don't have to take my windstopper fleece anymore... and neither they or Softshells will replace the need for a hard shell.. file them under spring skiing IMV
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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PS. The mountain hardwear alchemy is RRP about £180 but snowandrock have it on sale for £72
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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buns,
Good spot but I've just bought a Velocity today.... which I am hopeing will be a good mid layer....
I'll still have my polartec300 for those cold days...!!
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 Jacket arrived this morn (awfully impressive for snowandrock to get it turned around and out to me so quickly).... It isnt quite as soft and stretchy as Id expected, but still a bargain! The 'unpopular' shark color is really very nice too!
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You know it makes sense.
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I have the same softshell as JT (MH Synchro). ALthough I've not used it skiing (only for cold weather cycling and strolling around hampstead heath!) yet I'd agree with everything he says.
I'd add one point - the synchro is very waterproof for a soft shell (taped seams etc.). Given that I still think you need a hard shell for bad weather, I do wonder whether I should have gone for something LESS waterproof and more breathable. It is a very nice jacket though.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Just noticed that www.backpackgeartest.org has some reviews of the Keela Rock Jacket. Not sure which jackets Keela recommend for skiing but here are some comments on one of thier range.
The site is, as its name suggests, aimed at back packing gear. Many of its contributors like the snow and so it has many reviews of equipment relevant to snow sports.
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FAQ
- the one I was using plus two heavierweights. Last week this did me all week in Val d'Isere in all except two cases: a) a very windy morning at the top of Solaise with broken cloud, when I used my hardshell as well for about the first hour before it got too hot; and b) fairly heavy snow and poor visibility on Friday, when I put the hardshell on after a couple of hours. The combination still breathes pretty well, provided I don't get too hot. I guess I would normally use just the two layers down to about -15, provided I was keeping moving, but would then have something warmer to put on for lengthy stops (I hope to be getting a Mountain Hardware microfleece for Xmas for just this). Using your backpack as windshield/insulation on chairlifts also works pretty well as an additional windbreak. Last year at New Year I was in just the Polartec base and a thicker windproof fleece all week. Windproof fleeces are fine when it's snowing - just keep brushing it off - but although mine are supposed to be waterproof I doubt I'd want to trust them in serious rain. I suspect I run fairly hot when exercising though, and then prefer to feel slightly too cold rather than too hot - others in our group were wearing 4-5 layers 
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